CHAPTER 4,
PAST IN PRESENT
Lauren tried really hard to not think about her mother, but your mind tends to do the complete opposite when your not doing anything. At the moment, Lauren was with Jughead walking down the hall, her mind was somewhere else and she could barely keep her eyes open. She had barely gotten an hours sleep as her and the beanie boy were up till early morning, simply talking and that was something they barely did.
Teresa Davis was not a bad mother. In fact, she was a great mother, one who always took care of her daughters, always focused on what was best for them. But when police officers had barged into their home at 1 am with evidence of a supposed murder, done by her own mother, things changed. Lauren and Maya Davis never saw their mother again, though both were allowed to see their mother, they didn't have the guts to.
Murder was a big deal. Ending someones life is a big deal and Lauren didn't know how she could possibly deal with it. One minute her mother was in the Kitchen, a hot mug of coffee in her hands and the next she was thrashing in the arms of The Sheriff, accusing him of lying.
After that, the two daughters never seemed to be happy. Maya Davis moved on with her life whereas Lauren seemed to be stuck. She sometimes wondered how Maya could have forgotten about the deal so quickly. When asked about it, Maya simply said 'I didn't forget, I moved on, you should try it too'
The night couldn't have been more normal then it was. The three Davis' were sat on their dining table, The oldest one with a coffee mug in her hand and the younger ones chewing on Pizza. They were simply talking like any family would.
"I just don't understand why you wouldn't say anything about it." Maya shrugs her should, pointing at her younger sibling.
"It's just a small crush, I'll get over it." Lauren says a frown on her face.
"Yeah, just a small crush." Her sister teased and Lauren laughed.
"Stop!" Lauren laughed, shoving her sister a little.
"Well, I like him and think you guys will be an adorable couple." Teresa Davis smiles just as the a loud banging is heard, coming from the door. All three immediately get up, a look of panic washing over them.
Maya opens the door, only to be met with the Sheriff and a few deputies rushing in towards Teresa.
"I'm sorry, Lauren." The Sheriff apologizes. Lauren is too shocked to move as a deputy proceeds to handcuff the mother of the two girls.
"What are you doing?" Lauren demanded running over to the cop. "Stop! She didn't do anything."
"Teresa, Davis. You are under arrest for murder. You have the right to remain silent. If you do say anything, what you say can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult with a lawyer and have that lawyer present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you if you so desire."
Lauren freezes as the words leave the mans mouth. A sob leaving her mouth as she stares at her mother in shock. Her heart is hammering in her chest as her mom's face visibly pales.
"What? You're lying! i didn't kill anyone! You're all lairs, Clifford and Penelope put you up for this! Let me go!" The screams of Teresa Davis is what shakes Lauren out of her trance as she watches her thrash in the arms of the deputy, screaming and accusing.
Teresa Davis' screams were drowned out by the noise of the siren as both sisters watch in shock. Maya crumples to the floor, cries escaping her and Lauren stands numb, sliding down the wall with tears in her eyes, yet she had no idea that this was only the beginning.
To this day, Lauren was still confused as to why her Sister hated her so much. The two were so close, The one year age gap was one of the reasons they were. But she didn't even bother any more.
Jughead obviously noticed her expression and rolled his eyes. Her eyebrows were narrowed and her lip which was stuck in between her teeth. "You. You really need to stop."
Laurens attention immediately snapped to the boy next to her. "What?"
Jughead, once again, rolled his eyes at her. "Stop thinking. Relax your mind." He got behind her and massaged her shoulders in a joking manner.
"If you think that's relaxing, you need an actual massage." Lauren retorted.
Jughead nodded. "We both do."
The two walked up to the redhead and stood beside them as Archie stared at the small framed picture of Jason Blossom. Sensing that someone was behind him, Archie turned around to see his two former friends.
"Hi." Lauren started and Archie stared back blankly making her grow quiet. "Um." The girl scratched her neck awkwardly and looked at Jughead.
"Do you think I can use Jason Blossoms death as an excuse to get out of P.E?" Jughead asked, trying to lighten the mood. Archie, however, did not find it funny.
"Sorry coach, I'm just too depressed and freaked-out right now to do pull-ups." Jughead recited. Lauren chuckled a little bit but stops when she sees Archie's face.
"Don't joke about Jason Blossom." Archie replied, stern.
"Okay, you need to calm down." Lauren defended. She glared at the redhead, who had chaned drastically, just like she had.
"What?" Jughead asked. "Sardonic humor is just my way of relating to the world."
Lauren groans at what she see's behind Archie. "Look, its the rich kids from The Goonies."
"I'm out." Jughead groans and says.
Lauren sees him walk away and points in his direction. "That's my cue."
Archie nods but before she could leave he grabs her by the arm making her stop.
"Lauren, I really did miss you." Archie admits.
Lauren smiles sadly. "Believe it or not, I missed you more."
Archie couldn't resist as he leaned forward to envelop the girl in a warm hug. Lauren hugged back, missing her best friend more then ever.
"Watch it Wednesday Addams!" Reggie Mantles voice comes through as Lauren immediately rolls her eyes and mutters an apology before walking away from the red head.
Before the jock could do the same with Lauren, she simply glared at him. "Shut it, dumbass."
The boy's eyes widen momentarily, shocked at the words that left the girls mouth. She didn't realize and her own eyes widen and she nervously laughs. Archie interrupts the intervention with a look at Reggie who complies to whatever the two shared.
Lauren walked away, catching up with Jughead to continue their previous conversation that involved burgers and fries.
****
"Seats, everyone. Pair off, gloves on, scalpels up." The teacher instructed entering the lap in a rush. Lauren only slouched in her chair more when he arrived.
"Lighten up." Jughead beams. "We're dissecting a frog!"
Lauren slap him on his chest as he laughs a little. He snaps his gloves on and Lauren groans doing the same.
The two girls in front of the pair suddenly jump in a fright and the pair turn around to see Cheryl sticking her blade into the frog and Archie grimacing at her harsh movements.
Lauren and Jughead both share a look before going back to their project.
Short? Yes. Good? Somewhat. Very crap? Maybe.
So for some reason when I write short chapters I kinda cringe a little because i'm not used to it whatsoever. Though I really like this chapter because you get to see a little bit of the past of Lauren. Let me know if you guys want more flashback scenes, preferably longer ones.